Amtrak: Business and Family Friendly Travel

The travel challenge: Find the easiest and cheapest way to get from southwest Virginia to Newark, New Jersey. Answer: Amtrak. This meant a new travel experience for me. I had never ridden the rail before (unless, of course, you count the family fun trip on Tweetsie Railroad).

I questioned some seasoned travelers to learn more about train travel. The Q&A went something like this:

Q. What is check-in like?
A. There isn’t any.

Q. If there’s no check-in, who do you give your ticket to?
A. Someone will come by and ask you for them once you are under way.

Traveling on Amtrak was super-easy and pretty much hassle-free. Everything friends told me about train travel was true and then some. I spent a lot of time people-watching easily learning from other passengers what to do and what not to do.

Over half the people heading north that day showed up about 15 minutes before the train arrived. (I had been there an hour early—unnecessarily.)

Train travel seemed to be one of the easiest ways to move family members from one destination to another. The seats were roomy and plentiful. The aisles were wide enough to pass through comfortably and there overhead storage was ample, as well as space beneath the seats.

The atmosphere was relaxed and easy. People of all ages seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was so very different from traveling by air. Now, I can’t wait to take my kids on a trip by train.

Photo credit: Kelly Queijo / College Visit TravelingMom

Best of all the train had free WiFi AND a power outlet. Not only could I get some work done during my 9-hour trip, I could also keep my phone charged.

3 Comments

We love to travel by train. For trips under 200 miles or so it is usually faster than flying, and way less hassle. But we have gone on some long journeys on Amtrak too and had a blast. Our trick is that we make sure to get off and stay the night along the way, never spending more than one overnight on the train.

My experience with long distance train travel (specifically with kids ) has not been an overall positive one. Not long ago on a trip from Amtrak metro park nj station to Washington DC, I was traveling with my daughter. When the train pulled into the station, starting from the last car, we could not find 2 seats together that were unoccupied, it was after 9 pm and the idea of asking people if they would move was unpalatable to me, moving up the cars we had the same issue, until we reached a car that was virtually empty. Great I thought and settled in. The conductor came for tickets and informed us we were in business class and had coach tickets. I informed him that we could not find 2 seats together. He took mercy on us and said since the business card were empty we could ride down where we were. I was greatful but wondered why it had to be this way. Now, on the return trip, we were able to finds seats (my wife joining us) since we were the original stop. Halfway to to Nj the train became quite full with only scattered single seats available in our car. A young family came on with father mother, a toddler, and new born. They had no luck finding seating together ( no row across etc) Seeing this, I and a neighbor offered our seats so that the parents could at least split up and take a child.
I feel on busy routes this is a problem I’ve seen not just this trip but many times. I wish there could be some arrainhement beforehand to accommodate families without having to imconvienece folks who while possible willing to help, should not bear the burden of changing seats on crowded trains. A family car or some kind of preselected seating (they have quiet cars why not family cars) system would be helpful. Otherwise I don’t think I’d be inclined to travel by train (with kids) again.

About The Author

Z Kelly Queijo
is passionate about helping college-bound students and their parents with the college selection process, particularly with the campus visit. As the founder of Smart College Visit, Inc., SmartCollegeVisit.com has been listed in the Top 100 education advice blogs and as one of the top five college visit sites. She blogs about travel, education and technology.